Of course, for the same price of this EVO I could buy a brand new MINI with whatever options/colors I want, and at the end of the loan I'll have more equity. Not "quite" the fun factor but not too far off the mark either.

Haven't seen the '03 yet, so I don't know. That's a nice color you're showing....god I hate that stupid wing. When will people realize that these things are basically useless until about 130 mph, whether they be wings or spoilers (I guess technically that thing is a spoiler).

MINI--a properly set up modified MINI S is pretty ferocious in handling, that is true.

I think it's got to be the yellow '03. The '04 has leather and roof but is $3,500 more and has higher miles. Leather is nice but I'd cover it anyway as I'm rough on interiors, and a sunroof does compromise chassis rigidity on a cheapo car like a Lancer I think. As for premium sound, I'd rather add my own with satellite and nav.

How long do you think you'll keep it? Might take off the wing, store it, plug the holes (there's got to be some plastic plugs that'd work), then have an 'unmolested' example when the time comes to sell to some other EVO fan.